Wine Journalism

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• Could Lodi Growers Double Their Income by Going Certified Organic? Giant Vino Farms Is Proving That It Can. Will Other Growers Follow?

For a 20 percent increase in farming costs, Vino Farms said buyers, large and small, are clamoring for certified regenerative organic grapes and paying double or more above the going rate compared to conventional grapes. 

• Coffee, Collaboration and Community: Oregon Grower Group and Grand Cru Vintners Launch First Organically Grown Wine Conference

A new generation of Oregon winegrowers is spawning a grass roots, community oriented organic winegrowing movement, making a big splash.

• The Messy World of Defining "Regenerative"

CDFA defines it for grant criteria, stirring up a hornet's nest, while early adopter wineries embark on marketplace certifications and labeling.

• And Just Like That: Eight Fired USDA Wine Grape Scientists Back on the Job After Terminations Rescinded

Fired USDA employees found themselves back at work this week, after receiving emails saying their jobs had been restored. 

• Details Emerge About USDA Wine Grape Related Staff Firings Amidst Growing Uncertainties Over Funding for Spotted Lanternfly Research

Losses of PhD research scientists and valuable grant proposals in limbo alarm wine industry leaders. 

• USDA-ARS Fires California Based Smoke Exposure Researchers and Other Scientists Amidst Drastic Government Cutbacks Slashing 200,000 Federal Workers

Lead USDA-ARS scientists fired, putting smoke exposure research at risk.

• Broken Promises or Just Delays? Wine Grape Growers Await Funding Freeze Update As Some Face Financial Crises

Farrmers across the country faced unexpected funding freezes, as promised government aid under USDA NRCS EQIP is being withheld. 

• "This Is Your Moment," AI Evangelist Rishad Tobaccowala Tells DTC Conference in Show and Tell Presentation

Speaker wowed audiences with concrete advice and passionate encouragement to jump on AI tools in their business pursuits.

• Water Board Reps Revise "One Size Fits All" Approach to Vineyard Wastewater Order on 65,000 Acres of North Coast Vineyards

Ground truthing: staff  toured 43 separate vineyards, held over 30 outreach meetings, took helicopter rides over the areas, to get better acquainted with winter conditions in vineyards as well as the wide diversity of farming practices.

• "An Olympic Village of Agtech Innovation": Central Valley Group's New Incubator Spurs Development of Autonomous Robots and Tractors Reservoir Farms could be the crucial missing link to accelerate R and D in agtetch.

• Texas Billionaire Jay Adair's Buying Spree Nets Five VWE Wineries in Napa and Sonoma for $85 Million

Auto ecommerce mogul's love of vineyards inspires him to buy Viansa, B.R. Cohn and Kunde in Sonoma and Clos Pegase and Girard in Napa–all at fire sale prices.

• Producers Celebrate International Grenache Day in Style: Praise "Grenache as What Pinot Noir Wants To Be When it Grows Up"

Harvesting Grenache, drinking Grenache and writing about Grenache–any form of devotion would do in what winemaker called "the most important holiday of the year."

• No Added Sugar + Pleasure: 8 Tips on Courting the High End Wine Consumer

Wine Market Council new research data sheds light on what consumers want

• TikTok Part 2: One Winery's Journey and Tips on Getting Started

Stella Rosa is already ready to get the TikTok party started.

• Now That TikTok Wine Ads Are Legal, Marketers Are Bullish on the Platform's Potential to Reach New Audiences

Social marketers at agencies and big brands are optimistic about the new rules allowing them to advertise on the platform–a social media giant with 170 million U.S. users, many of whom are wine lovers with money to spend. 

• The 50,000 Acre Dilemma: California's Grape Growers and the State's Biggest Wineries Grapple with Overages

The tortoise and the hare: a race to tear out vines-and then wait to see what the market does.

• Secrets of the Soil: Can a New Regenerative Viticulture Study Reveal How Cultural Practices Affect Soil Microbial Behavior?

A new, large scale, multi year study is poised to collect an extensive and comprehensive set of data on the impact of combined regenerative practices. 

• "The Magician": Steve Edmunds Receives Rhone Rangers Lifetime Achievement Award

Many of those in attendance were at the 1987 dinner where the maverick group of winemakers agreed to become an actual organization–of some kind. 

• Hundreds Pay Homage to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars' Visionary Founder Warren Winiarski and His Multifaceted Life

The winner of the 1976 Paris Tasting spawned a global wine revolution that brought billions in revenue to the American wine industry.

• Are Reusable Wine Bottles Becoming a Real Movement? 60 Oregon Wineries to Adopt Revino's Refillable Bottles

The state that likes to be greener is leading the way, in part because it has an effective recycling program.

• Ukrainian Winemakers Visit Napa, Sonoma Wineries in Rotary Sponsored Trip - "You Live in Paradise"

Six winemakers visit and learn about regenerative viticulture.

• PR Tips from a Pro: Acclaimed Bloomberg Wine Columnist Elin McCoy's Advice for Pitching Green Stories

“People like stories about you discovering things,” she said, along with disaster stories. She gave examples of great pitches.

• Reinvent The Wine Bottle? Napa Entrepreneur's Hexagonally Shaped Bottle Innovates, Reducing Shipping Costs 39 Percent

Out with the styrofoam and out with the heavy glass wine bottles. Both have negative environmental impacts. But now–out with round wine bottles, too? Yes, says new bottle designer. 

• Is the Wine Industry Sexist? Consumers Like Male and Female Winemaker Produced Wines Equally, While Wine Insiders Report Industry "Needs Improvement" 

For consumers, a fine winemaker is a fine winemaker regardless of gender, according to a new study from Kedge Business School but inside the industry, gender inequality persists.

• Star Studded Historic Vines Tasting Showcases California's Treasures

200 ardent fans came out in rainy weather to taste wine from 135 year old vines from 44 wineries, up from 30 in 2018. There were fresh faces, symbolic of the organization’s growing number of producers and fans. 

• Can Glass Wine Bottles Become Carbon Neutral? Fueled by Renewables, Verallia Fires Up Breakthrough Electric Glass Furnace

March 18, Verallia, the world’s third largest glass manufacturer, launched its first all electric furnace, forging its path to lower carbon emissions glass.

• With Priests and Politicians: World Famous Napa Power Couple Tatjana and Mike Grgich Memorialized

Attendees celebrated the story of the rags to riches, Croatian born couple Tatjana and Mike Grgich (who died in 2020 and 2023 respectively) at their memorial.

• Part 2. From Geekdom to Applied Knowledge: Transforming Data into What Growers Care About

California's ag tech culture births new product with university and venture capital support. 

• Part 1 - Can a Vineyard Software Startup Take Precision Ag to New Levels of Granularity and Increase Revenue? Scout Breaks New Ground 

From photos to insights: Said U.C. Davis data geek Mason Earles, "We started with GoPros on ATVs." Vertical Venture Partners just invested $3 million in the fledgling company.

• Making the Connection: Women In Wine Symposium at U.C. Davis Showcases Role Models and Networking

Superstar growers, vintners, educators, and collaborators talk shop (and serve as role models), coupled with a career networking event.

• The French Connection: Vineyards and Biodiversity Conference in Avignon Yields Insights on Resilience

In Avignon, attendees heard from international luminaries including soil microbiota expert Prof. Marc-André Selosse, a well known presenter on the international healthy soils conference trail, and celebrated permaculture and agroecology expert Alain Malard.

• Are Wineries Complying with California's New Winery Wastewater Order? The Answer: Yes and No

The deadline was Jan. 20, but it appears that as many as 1,400 wineries have not yet responded to the mandatory order requiring winery wastewater discharge permits. 

• Latest Research Findings on Regenerative Viticulture | From Earthworms to Sheep

Leading lights in regenerative viticulture weigh in on new research outcomes and the cutting edge of best practices. 

• Low Carbon Footprint, FrugalPac Paper Wine Bottles Debut at Aldi, Whole Foods and Monterey Wine Co.

Coming soon to Whole Foods shelves: Bonny Doon’s “Pink” wine packaged in new, lightweight, carbon footprint reducing, paper wine bottles at Monterey Wine Company’s new Frugalpac bottling line. 

• Southern Glazer's to Pay or Write Off Nearly $50 Million to Settle Allegations of Overcharging on Interest Rates for Overdue Accounts

The plaintiffs alleged that Southern Glazer’s overcharged customers on late fees, charging two percent rather than the one percent permitted by California authorities. 

• Will New EU Nutritional and Ingredient Laws Guide U.S. Wine Labeling? Major Wine Industry Groups Ask TTB To Harmonize Standards

Major wine industry groups told TTB U.S. wine industry wants to align with EU standards on QR codes and ingredient and nutritional labeling.

• Do Consumers Want Ingredient and Nutritional Information on Their Wine Bottles? TTB Listening Sessions Show Agency Wants to Know 

The federal agency's embarked on a complex mission to answer numerous questions about alcoholic beverages and labeling. 

• California's "Hella-Confusing" Bottle Bill: CalRecycle's How To Webinar Attended by 440 Wineries--With 123 Questions

Massive confusion as bookkeepers, computer software programmers, and wine production teams try to figure out how to comply with the state regulations and confusing terminology.

• Part 4: Recycling Solutions, It Works Elsewhere: Beverage Container Redemption Solutions - Reverse Vending Machines

Consumer convenience and increased traffic for retailers make RVMs popular in Europe. They're coming to California. 

• Part 3: Recycling Solutions, It Works Elsewhere: Beverage Container Redemption Solutions - Bag Drop Programs

Bag drop programs work well in Oregon. California bag drop pilots explore new territory and could roll out soon. 

• (Part 2) In Search of the Circular Economy: Can California's Bottle Bill Achieve its Billion Bottle Recycling Potential?

Good news, bad news–critics of California's wine bottle recycling program say the state is not doing enough to promote the circular economy.  

• (Part 1) "A Huge, Huge Deal": Experts Untangle the "Super Hella Confusing" California Bottle Bill

With both glass manufacturing and wine production, California has the unique potential to have a circular economy for wine glass bottles.

• Winning Strategies: 5 Bright Spots in Brand Diversification

“Entrepreneurs R Us” could have been the title of the broad ranging presentation at Unified that looked at creative strategies to expand brand offerings and increase profits.

• Prepping for EU Nutrient and Ingredient Wine Labeling Laws: New EU Regulations Apply to Exports

Wineries dealing with new wine labeling requirements for wine exports to be sold in the European Union (EU) got expert advice  at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento.

• Unified Wine Grape Symposium Keynote Speaker Karen Ross, CDFA Secretary, Unites Present and Past; Recalls Learning to Say "'It's a Great Vintage,' No Matter What"

California's top ag leader, who served as president of CAWG from 1996 to 2009, looks to sustainable and regenerative practices to continue the state's clean and green reputation.

• From Napa to Kyiv and Zagreb: Roots of Peace a Top Charity Pick for Grgich Memoriam

Roots of Peace encompasses “From Mines to Vines” to today’s “Cultivating Peace through Agriculture” and linked Croatian demining experts to Ukrainian vintners. The group was one of Mike Grgich's favorite charities. 

• "It Goes Against Our Focus on Soil Health" - Napa Green Phases Out Synthetic Herbicides (including Roundup)

Should sustainability guidelines allow growers to use Roundup? No, says Napa Green

• Californians to Be Notified of State Restricted Pesticide Sprays in New Network System, DPR Hearings Conclude This Month

Enrollees in the state’s new pesticide notification network will receive pesticide use notification within a mile of an address they specify, but not the exact address of the pesticide application nor the name of the grower. 

• Napa Valley Grape Growers Cut Roundup Use in Half, Evaluate Weed Control Strategies Amidst Shifting Consumer and Community Opinions

Napa Valley Grapegrowers' deep dive into weed control features in-depth and a wide variety of viewpoints.

• New Winery Wastewater Order: Regulatory Overkill or Ecosystem Essential?

Hundreds of wineries grapple with 2021 state regulations that require meeting stiffer wastewater standards. 

• Wine Institute Hosts Second Global Buyers Marketplace in California

Vintners look to increase exports to Canada, the EU and Asia, while meeting buyers from 80+ countries 

• Fire Insurance Expert Panel Tells Wine Execs - "Mitigate, Mitigate, and Then Mitigate Some More"

“Insuring the Uninsurable? Protecting Your Business from Risk,” featured state of the art advice on both fire prevention and dealing with insurance companies.

• Economist Tells Wine Execs Media's Negative Narrative at Odds With Economic Facts

“There has been a disconnect between the narrative of how the economy is doing and how you're actually doing,” Williams said. 

• Harvest 2023 - "It Surprised Us: Every Vineyard Had Extra Fruit"

A downgraded freak tropical storm; a crop that sized unexpectedly; big yields from rains; a late harvest and a compacted crush.

• "A Necessary Evolution": Regulators Outline Sustainable Pest Management's First Steps

DPR said it is likely that fumigants will top the list of priority pesticides.

• Emerging Trends: Import Experts Talk Bright and Low Spots in the Global Wine Economy at California Wines Global Buyers Marketplace

Consumers are trading down, but the high-end remains solid, said experts on an importers panel

• Organic Farming Costs: Craig Ledbetter Offers Insight Into Fertilizers, IPM and Clients Who Prefer Handpicking

Does it cost more to farm organically? Yes. But it can be profitable

• Craig Ledbetter of Lodi's Vino Farms Bullish on Organic (Part 1 of 2)

“We're doing organic because I see an opportunity, and the writing on the wall is there," Ledbetter said. 

• Pinot Noir Harvest 2023: The Race to Ripen

"Some varieties that are out there, that, with this rain, could have some problems either getting ripe or staying clean..."

• 2023 Harvest Dance: Is Topsy Turvy the New Normal? Or Is There Such a Thing As Normal Anymore?

“They're picking Chard and Cabs off on top of each other. It's pretty crazy,” said Christian Klier, North Coast Grape Broker with Turrentine Brokerage

• Invasive Species Report Puts $424 Billion Global Price Tag on Biological Invasions

Invasives include vine mealybug, the European grapevine moth, the Virginia creeper leafhopper, and Pierce’s Disease, grape growers' most challenging pests. Yet the state cut funding to combat them.

• The California Race to Stop the Invasion of the Dreaded Spotted LanternflyThe first wine grape pest to achieve celebrity status before its arrival in California, but scientists have their sites set on preventing its spread

• Supermarket Giants Safeway and Albertsons Enter the World of Online Fine Wine with Direct Shipping

The new fine wine portal is a giant leap for the retailer

• ChatGPT Sparks Growing Interest in A.I. - Can It Help the Wine Industry?

...it does well as a first draft machine for writing copy, emails and more

• Nonalcoholic Wines: Emerging Innovators and Big Guns Enter the Growing $56 Million+ Category

N.A. wine supporters see bright spots on the horizon–especially in the on premise world.

Azolla: Pond Pest or Miracle Fertilizer? Native Species Offers an Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Aquatic carbon sequestration or vegan fertilizer are just two of the reasons to learn more about Azolla, a native plant that one wine grower uses for his farm's fertility.

• From Churn to Earn: Disrupting and Democratizing Distribution--LibDib's First Seven Years

Today LibDib, started in 2016, is a solution for 400 wine brands in 14 states

• California's Organic Wave: Wine Grape Acreage Increases By 1,774 Acres in Last 12 Months

Four properties with a total of 1,370 acres or 77 percent of the new acres are a mix of family owned (non, Halter Ranch, Stolpman) as well as big corporations (Constellation)

• Through a Wide Angle Lens: Restaurant Wine Buyers Panel Talks Trends and Growth at Bulk Wine Expo

Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre are on fire as are non alcoholic wines

• Getting on the Shelf: Retailers' Insider Stories

Retail buyers gave advice to producers on what works in real life

• "He Had Insane Trust": Paul Dolan's Celebration of Life Sendoff in Mendocino

Wine greats, members of the winemaking community and friends and family gathered Friday, August 4 at Dark Horse Vineyard 

• State of the Art in E-Commerce: How Experts Sell More Wine

Selling wine online got a boost from the pandemic, but it’s not a forever favor, according to digital marketing and sales leaders

• Biodynamic Viticulture Class in Napa Features Italian Allstars

Biodynamics may be among the most misunderstood terms in the wine industry but not any more.

• NielsenIQ Thought Leader Talks Trends, New Approaches to Woo Next Gen Consumers

LDA recruitment, competition from RTDs, and “time starved” consumers who are channel switching more purchases to convenience stores were some of the big trends

• Nickels and Dimes: Wine Industry Prepares for California's New Bottle Bill Redemption Requirement

For a state and an industry with a green image, California and its wineries have a big recycling problem.

•  Smoke Experts and Health Authorities Critical of Prescribed Burn in Sonoma

Smoke harmed public health and possibly affected vines. 

• At ASEV: Forecasting the Future, Part 2: Prioritizing Key Grower Challenges in the Era of Climate Change

Best advice from latest research on irrigating during extreme heat and closing thoughts from Gallo's noted expert Nick Dokoozlian

• At ASEV: Forecasting the Future, Part 1: Prioritizing Key Grower Challenges in the Era of Climate Change

Warming temperatures, extreme heat and variable rainfall–and the best advice on how to mitigate. 

• At ASEV: Former OIV Leader's Big Picture Thinking Part 2 - The Search for the New Ideal Wine

Consumer trends, new labeling laws increasing transparency and wine style responses to higher alcohol grapes are dramatically shaping the future of wine.

• At ASEV: Former OIV Leader's Big Picture Thinking Part 1 - Climate Change and Winemaking

She outlined how weather whiplash and fluctuating extremes are affecting the wine industry as a whole. Winemaking and wines will change.

• In Memoriam: Organic and Biodynamic Pioneer Paul Dolan, "Ahead of the Curve"

"He was a leader in the whole process of scaling up organic and biodynamic agriculture and regenerative organic.”

• Groundwater Recharge: A Work in Progress

After years of drought, California wine grape growers and irrigation districts are stepping up their efforts to recharge groundwater, capitalizing on 2023’s historic rains. How big will the impact be?

• Celebrate Life: The Wines and the People at Miljenko Grgich's 100th Birthday Celebration

Rare historic wines, pivotal moments and family and friends - Croatian born Mike Grgich’s 100 year long life were celebrated in two days of festivities earlier this month, with luminaries and friends from far and wide that illustrated the arc of his career beginning with his arrival in the valley in 1958.

• From Wood Chips and Mushroom Extracts to Vintner Coalitions: Government Funded Ecosystem Restoration Projects Enhance Vineyard Resilience

How Russian River community growers, Jackson Family Wines, and the Dry Creek Rancheria Pomo tribe worked together to leverage millions in government grants from conservation agencies to overcome the twin climate challenges of wildfire and drought and build ecosystem resilience.

• "Plant Based and Climate Friendly": SF Chronicle's Esther Mobley Tells Wineries to Woo Younger Consumers with Green Messaging

Leading wine writer tells industry Gen Z and Millennials care a lot about climate, recommends leveraging that interest

• Sonoma Valley's Rossi Ranch Acclaimed as To Kalon for Grenache

An old vine vineyard planted in 1910 finds new life in Rhone varieties sought after by 100 point winemakers from Napa

• California Pesticide Regulators Set a New Course to Reduce Toxic Chemicals

Top agencies signal an agro-ecological shift and softer materials may lie ahead

• Vineyard Automation Faces State Labor Regulation Challenges, Unified Symposium Expert Panel Finds

Self driving tractors in vineyards must overcome outdated regulations based on 80 year old technology, growers say 

• USDA Climate Smart Ag Grant Funds Five Year, $2 Million Soil Carbon Inventory Project for Fine Wine Producers

Local soil samples and computer algorithms will model soil carbon parameters and pinpoint changes, advancing research by reducing the cost of soil carbon sampling with low cost modeling methods based on large datasets.

• New Tech: Two Soil Carbon Measurement Startups Get a Boost from USDA Climate Smart Ag Grants

USDA funds startups trying to increase and lower costs of soil carbon measurement methods.

• Winners and Losers in New Consumer Study on Nutritional and Ingredient Wine Labeling

Low sugar–a winner. Sulphur dioxide–a loser. The study was as revealing about consumer preferences as it was about consumer perceptions.

• TTB Likely to Seek Wine Industry Input on Nutritional Wine Labeling in 2023

While the EU is already poised to finalize new regulations on nutritional wine labeling, the federal government in U.S. is beginning the process.

• Wine Industry Finance Conference Financial Symposium Closing Keynote: Growing Stoller Wine Group

Gary Mortenson's journey from tech startup veteran to wine industry growth champion and innovator

• Turning Data into Sales and Profit

Insights from industry leaders at the Wine Industry Finance Conference on optimizing wineries bottom lines through smart business practices

• California Exports: The Money's in the Middle

 Post pandemic powwow connects 80 buyers, 26 countries to California

• Scout & Cellar's Road to Growth

Social selling combined with mostly organic standards and nutritional info a winning combination

• Landmark $369 Billion Federal Climate Bill Provides Wine Industry with Funding to Combat Climate Change

Growers' perks: electric pickups, fire prevention, water storage and more

• Top Retailers Outline Buying Programs for Private Label and Branded Wines

Top buyers for BevMo and Target weigh in on organics and more

• Southern Glazer's Sustainability Ramps Up

Giant distributor on green journey

• From E. & J. Gallo to Whole Foods and Napa: Brands Are Increasingly Going Organic

Black Box to test organic, Central Coast expands organic acreage, and Napa's organic estates double in number in 6 years

• The Return of Hospice du Rhone

After pandemic, joy in being together

• Experts Deliver State of the Art Advice on Smoke Taint at Unified Wine Grape Symposium

Top smoke researchers reveal findings

• Knowledge is Power, Says USDA's California Climate Hub Director in Unified Wine Grape Symposium Keynote

USDA to collect and publish its research on drought

• What Wine for Tomorrow? Wine in the Face of Climate Challenges, Paints Picture of Possible Future

French wine expert's comprehensive guide on climate change and wine 

• French Wine Critics Rate Organic and Biodynamic Wines 6-12 Points Higher in Scores Compared to Conventional or Sustainable Wines, Wine Economists Find

A study of 128,000 wines over 20 years brings insights; wine economists say better farming correlates with better scores

• Levels of the Game: Game-Changing Moves On Instagram

Wineries look to pictures to boost appeal

• Fine Wine Producers See Bag-in-Box Wines Taking Off: “We Doubled Production”

Consumer demand has resulted in sold-out runs of boxed wines, as the infrastructure becomes more available for small producers.

• Finding Affordable Solutions to California’s New Winery Wastewater Order
For many wineries, the new statewide order is a nightmare: both for having to tackle a subject and skill set outside of their wheelhouse and for having to cough up cash for consultants, collecting and reporting wastewater quality data, and making infrastructure improvements that may require capital planning.

•  New Winery Wastewater Order: Regulatory Overkill or Ecosystem Essential?

Wineries face challenges in submitting complicated water protection plans by Jan. 20 when three year window closes.

• New Winery Glass Recycling Outreach Programs to Capture Glass Bound for Landfill 

Glass industry aims to increase glass recovery rates from 31% to 50% by 2030. Page 58. (online viewer or pdf)

• Vineyard Management Software: New Technologies Encourage Better Business and Vineyard Decisions

As ag tech investments shifts into high gear, the digital toolkit is rapidly expanding, arming growers with a wide variety of tools to track and optimize their farming. PLUS: an interview with researcher Mason Earles at the AI and Biophysics Lab at U.C. Davis

• Facing Early Frost Risks from Climate Change, Bordeaux Experiments with New Blends 

Merlot has a distinct downside | 2022 [pdf, page 38-45]

• Sustainability Meets Finance:  Eco-Performance Based Loans, Investors, Retailers and New State Regulations Fuel Climate Progress

An eco-financial sea change is afoot | 2022

MARKETING AND TECH ISSUES

• Depletions and Beyond: Data and Software Accelerate and Align the Three Tiers (pdf)

How software telegraphed market changes and informed distributor planning during pandemic | 2021

• The Big Pivot: The Wine Industry's Data-Driven Marketing Transformation (pdf)

Looking at the numbers, more and more | 2020

• From Cash Register to Competitive Advantage: POS as MVP (pdf)

Turning transactions into actionable data | 2019

• Getting Off the Hamster Wheel: Grape Growers Connect with New Markets for Whole Farm Profitability

Lodi growers' creative responses to the challenge of making income from other income streams. 

• New Wine Market Council Studies Dive into Consumer Preference on Greener Wines

Findings: 58% to 61% of younger consumers (20 to 40) prefer sustainable, family-owned or organically grown wines.

• The Great Data Debate: Does It Pay to Farm Organically?

Napa Green’s event brought together an impressive array of vineyard managers and vintners from major brands to talk about the economic facts of growing organic vines.

•  Market Research Shows How to Win Up-and-Coming Consumers, Widen Wine’s Multicultural Appeal

A remarkably in-depth new study, “Attracting More Young Adults and Multicultural Consumers to Wine,” released by the Wine Market Council offers valuable insights. 

• “Know More, Use Less” New Precision Imaging Vineyard Software Enables Smarter Use of Inputs

Vendors are on the cusp of rolling out next-generation products more broadly to large-scale growers in 2025.

• Ground Truth Data on Regenerative Practices: Insights from Real-Time Soil Monitoring

No-till practices yielded the highest water retention levels...a significant advantage

.

• Forward-Thinking Ag Tech for Improved Vineyard Autonomy

Solar-powered, real-time spore detectors, AI-enabled drones and electric autonomous tractors all strutted their stuff, giving glimpses of what many larger growers are already trialing behind the scenes.

• Can Regenerative Organic Farming Pencil Out? Study Provides State-of-the-Art Data and Demonstrates Dramatic Improvements in Wine Quality

The results show a dramatic difference in water retention, soil respiration, soil carbon, wine quality and yields.

 • Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Requires a Different Approach Than Other Maladies

Latest research findings reveal that it spreads via two distinctively different paths, the impact of surrounding vegetation, and how drought affects its spread.

• FIRA Ag Tech Robotics Show Offers Solutions for Vineyards, Wineries

The exhibition areas were wildly diverse, a true melting pot of advanced solutions

 with Indian entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley, a first-time exhibitor from China with a vineyard robot and French vendors.

• Swales and Ducks Mitigate Climate Change, Saving Water and Energy and Building the Soil Sponge

 A Capay Valley family of globally acclaimed agro-ecologists improves weed control with ducks and water retention with swales.

• The Sweet Spots: Survey Reveals What Wine Club Members Really Want (and Why 19% Leave)

32% said the expense was too high, while 27% said they switched to another club they liked better.

• Can a Coalition of Rockstar Scientists, Google Billionaire Philanthropists and Central Valley Leaders Create an Ag Waste Breakthrough?

Innovation replaces burning vine cuttings in new circular economy initiative.

• Fire Season: Sonoma’s Point Fire in June Shows Proper Equipment and Preparation Essential

A professional wildfire contractor, the insurer’s partner, helped to prepare and save Bella Vineyards from a fire that devastated neighbors.

• Bag in Box Wine Category: “Red Hot” as Small- and Medium-Sized Producers Come on Board

Though it’s still a niche category, boxed wine from established, artisanal, boutique wineries (think Bedrock, Ryme Cellars and Tablas Creek) or entrepreneurial boxed wine-only startups (Juliet and Really Good Boxed Wine) is hitting the market. 

• Getting Started with Dry Farming: Improved Resilience, Better Wine Quality and Water Savings Prove Attractive Benefits in Napa Project

Savings of 10 million gallons a year possible on 100 acres.

• Academic Scientists and Jackson Family Wines Collaborate in Pioneering Regenerative Viticulture Study

U.C. and other scientists are studying the impact of regenerative practices, such as no-till, compost, cover crops and more, applied in various combinations.

• New State Water Board Regulations a Challenge as Well as a Catalyst for Innovation

A new biologicals in pipe wastewater system piloted in Napa holds promise for the industry. 

• Winery Feature: Scheid Family Wines

Jack of All Trades Scheid Family Wines hits sweet spot with Its own no-sugar, low-alcohol brand

• Highs, Lows and Opportunities: Top 5 Takeaways from the Wine Market Council’s 2024 Market Research

Experts highlight actionable steps to improve sales based on latest data. 

• Regenerative Ag: ‘Rockstar’ Researchers Share Latest Findings on Improving Soil Health

Unified Wine and Grapes Symposium panel of university scientists discuss new findings.

• Winery Feature: Tres Sabores Farm-to-Table Napa Winery Is a Hit with Tourists

Sheep, olive oil, wine and a casual vibe plus stunning biodiversity make this a standout in Napa.

• Winery Feature: V. Sattui Winery–Tom Davies and Dario Sattui Decarbonize and Go Organic

Leading Napa winery business takes effective action on climate change.

• Napa Green to Phase Out Glyphosate-Based Herbcides by 2026

Napa Green announced it is becoming “the first sustainable winegrowing certification globally to require the phaseout of Roundup and ultimately synthetic herbicides."

• Jackson Family Wines Joins Napa's Organic Wave

Family owned winery converts all of its 480 acres of Napa vines, many in the mountains, to organic certification, a goal set by its acclaimed head winemaker Chris Carpenter.

• New Bottle Bill Deadline is Approaching Fast, and Action is Required

The new law requires retailers to do a better job of accepting returnables and requires wineries to pay a small fee and label returnables.

• Fire Insurance: A Moving Target

Localized impacts affect some vineyards dramatically, some not at all

• The Biopesticide Revolution

Opportunity Knocks for Growers and Investors An Interview with Innovator Pam Marrone

• Nutritional and Ingredient Labeling Changes for U.S. and Wine Exporters to Europe

 EU's Dec. 8, 2023 deadline to add nutritional and ingredient labeling to wine

• Hawk and Horse Vineyards Combines Unique Traditions with Biodynamic Farming

A unique Lake County winery with ranching, biodynamic farming and Lake County diamonds.

• Leapfrogging from Solar to a Microgrid Domaine Carneros Seeks Energy Independence

Carneros sparkling wine producer finds a way to avoid utility  power shutdowns and maintain a stable energy source.. 

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Wines and Vines

• Nonalcoholic Wines: Popularity and Profits Increase

Nonalcoholic wines are appearing on menus at 2 and 3-star Michelin restaurants.

• The Rising Wave Celebrating with Craft Tequila and Mezcal

A look at this growing category through the eyes of celebrity tequila brands and mezcal heritage purists

• From Farm to Table to House Ground Heirloom Masa, Mexican Restaurants Rise to New Heights

Another immigrant food category climbs the culinary ladder of taste

• East and West: Two Evans and Two Takes on Easter Wines

Two coasts, two comms, two picks on what wines to serve for this festive occasion.

• Wine and Water - Wine Cruises: A Perfect Pairing 

Cruise industry embraces wine education as an attraction.

• EcoWine Explained (pdf) or LINK

Organic, biodynamic and sustainable: an explainer

• Organic Matters

What separates organically grown wines from conventional and sustainable–chemicals. An organic explainer.

Full Pour magazine (print)

• In This Together: Recapping the RISE Climate and Wine SymposiumNapa Green's RISE GREEN climate summit brings world class speakers to educate, inspire and build community. 

The Tasting Panel (print + online)

• Going Green 

What makes eco-certified wines unique: explainer

--Voices/Maze Row Merchant (print + online)

• Bordeaux's Ecological Push

More than 300 wineries are converting to organic certification

--Voices/Maze Row Merchant (print + online)

• Why Organic Winegrowing Can Be More Profitable Than Conventional

Site, skill, quality and markets make the difference 

--Daily Seven Fifty

 • Running dry: Groundwater depletion expert says California water crisis urgently needs state actionScientist Jay Famiglietti calls on state to be more pro-active on water storage and planning.

--Wine Industry Advisor

• Jancis Robinson at Napa RISE: “The younger you are, the more concerned you are." Wine's most famous chronicler lambasts heavyweight bottles in wine.

--Wine Industry Advisor

EDITOR'S PICK

• How a Salad Bar Disaster Changed the Course of U.S. Wine History (pdf)

The history of America's weird no added sulfite organic wine laws revealed at last --Pix.com (Pix is gone; see text version on title link)

• What It Costs to be Certified Organic | 2017

• The Organic Opportunity: Will the U.S. Miss Out? (op-ed) | 2018

• Green Wine: Where Are We Now?

Who's organic and why | 2016

• Shades of Green  | 2014

Dynamic and confusing, green wine is shaping up to be a vibrant category that merchants must embrace on they own terms.